Research project could help create computers that run on light

This broad spectrum would allow close control over the electric field, which is the basis of conveying enormous amounts of information that modern devices like computers need. They are funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

“Harnessing optical waves would represent a huge step, perhaps the definitive one, in establishing the photonics era,” said Dr Benabid.

“Since the development of the laser, a major goal in science and technology has been to emulate the breakthroughs of electronics by using optical waves. We feel this project could be a big step in this.

“If successful, the research will be the basis for a revolution in computer power as dramatic as that over the past 50 years."

Dr Benabid said that the technology that could be built if his research was successful could, for instance, make lasers that operate at wavelengths that current technology cannot now create, which would be important for surgery.

The continual series of short bursts of light will not only dramatically affect technology - it will also advance physics by giving researchers the chance to look inside the atom.

Although atoms can now be “seen” using devices such as electron microscopes, it has not been possible to examine their fast dynamics.

By sending the light in short bursts into an atom, they will be able to work out the movements of electrons, the tiny negatively charged particles that orbit the atom’s nucleus.

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